A voluntary recall of Zinbryta has been issued after the manufacturers received reports that the drug may be linked to encephalitis causes.

Zinbryta was recently introduced as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is a condition where the patient’s body attacks and damages the myelin, the protective sheath around the nerve cells. The associated immune response usually targets nerves in the central nervous system, i.e. the brain and spinal cord.

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary between individuals, since the disease may affect different nerve fibers in different people. However, common side effects include tingling or pain in parts of the body, tremors, unsteady gait, lack of coordination, slurred speech, fatigue, and dizziness. The degenerative autoimmune disease has no cure and late stage multiple sclerosis may manifest serious symptoms such as paralysis or mental changes.

Zinbryta was approved by the FDA in May 2016 as a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Zinbryta is generally prescribed to multiple sclerosis patients who had an inadequate response to two or more other multiple sclerosis drugs. The drug works by binding to immune cells and reducing the activity of cells attacking the immune system.

Since its release into the pharmaceutical market in 2016, Zinbryta has allegedly been reported as one of many possible encephalitis causes. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain and is characterized by flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, nausea, light sensitivity, and more.

In more severe cases, encephalitis causes confused thinking, seizures, or problems with senses and movement. Common encephalitis causes include viral infections, bacterial infections, and a faulty immune system reaction.

Another reported side effect is Zinbryta liver problems, including liver failure. Symptoms of liver failure include nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and confusion which can lead to coma or death.

Other reported complications related to Zinbryta include serious immune reactions and skin reactions including erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

The drug’s manufacturers recently filed a voluntary recall of the drug due to reports that it may be among one of many encephalitis causes. Prior to the voluntary Zinbryta recall, the U.S. carried a black box warning against use in patients with liver problems. The label also carried a risk-management program. In Europe, regulators allegedly put strict limits on the drug’s use and required liver monitoring.

The FDA is allegedly working closely with the manufacturers to “ensure that health care professionals have the information they need to carefully transition their patients using Zinbryta to another treatment”. Although the FDA did not mandate the recall of the drug, they will continue to remain involved and monitor the process of market withdrawal.

If you or a loved one experienced encephalitis or liver problems following Zinbryta use, you may be eligible to participate in a free Zinbryta lawsuit investigation. Under federal law, pharmaceutical companies are required to list any and all symptoms on their packaging and alert the FDA to any changes.

Legal action could potentially be taken against Zinbryta manufacturers to hold them accountable for side effects not adequately publicized in their patient warnings. A Zinbryta lawsuit could recover compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and more.